dearest

getting married in your old age

She was a bit unsteady on her feet. He was getting worse by the day. She poured his wine. He helped her into bed. They actually didn't match at all. He was always too early, she was just a bit too late. That had already proven to be extremely painful in the early days of ‘dating’. The home hairdresser had put her hair in foils and while the color treatment was setting, she quickly smoked a cigarette on the balcony. And there he had already been standing. While she of course didn't smoke. At least, not on her dating profile.

He had laughed. And treated her to a serenade that even Giulia Capuleti (the one from Romeo) would be jealous of.

They actually thought getting married was nonsense. They had both been happy with each other's predecessors. If they had still been alive, this duo would never have been a thing. But yes, living together was quite convenient. Because he with his eyes, she with her bad hip. And if they were going to take a step, they might as well make it a celebration. So getting married.

A gift suggestion was a bottle of wine. And whether we could let them know if we were coming, regarding the bitterballen. There was singing, laughing, and drinking. The fresh bride slowly stepped onto the stage. She set her cane aside for a moment. On the old stage of the little theater where the event took place, her large red beret stood out even more. She brushed her hands over her black-and-white leather ensemble. She still looked quite good at 74. She unfolded her paper.

Of course, there were many similarities. The glass, the cigarette, the caravan in Tuscany, the love for camping. But further? He was a morning person, she always turned off the light last. Driving, another thing. He could find his way blindfolded, but she? When they recently drove to his daughter, she missed four exits. ‘I'm going to call my daughter and tell her I'm marrying an idiot,’ he had said. And then she laughed so hard that she missed the fifth exit as well.

He took the microphone. His red scarf fluttered over his chest. ‘Dear people,’ he spoke with a voice that made everyone wonder why he had never considered an acting career, “dear people. I. Am. Happy.”

And then six tears just wobbled down my cheek.